In writing and developing curriculum online modules for the Bachelor of Midwifery program run at Griffith University in Queensland I have really begun to find my feet and develop a formula for the format.
I have a number of beliefs that I try and inject into each module.
- Midwifery Curriculum should aim to create the basis of a commitment to the creation of lifelong learners. The curriculum should aim to develop the necessary skills within each student to be able to seek out, understand and apply evidence and knowledge to their midwifery practice.
- Reflection should be built into each learning module especially in the final year. The student needs to be able to understand why they are studying the module, how they need to incorporate it into their practice and the importance and relevance.
- Cultural safety also needs to be part of every module.
Cultural Safety
“the effective midwifery care of women from other cultures by a
midwife who has undertaken a process of reflection on her own
cultural identity and recognises the impact of her culture on her
practice”
NZCOM Midwives Handbook for practice. New Zealand College of Midwives. (2002) Christchurch. p.41
(Cited in ACM Bmid Standards, 2006)
I don't believe that cultural safety is just about the colour of a person's skin or a person's ethnic background. There are all kinds of different cultures for example:
The first step to becoming 'culturally safe' is developing a cultural awareness. This is the beginning step. In this step it is important to develop the ability to recognise that there are differences in people's rituals, beliefs and practices.
The second step is to develop cultural sensitivity. In this step there is a need to begin a process of self-exploration. Reflection is an important process in this step as you reflect on your own life experiences and realities. You then need to recognise how these relate to the impact they may have on others. This is the stage the students should be at by the end of their Bachelor of Midwifery course.
The final step is to become a culturally safe practitioner. The important aspect of this step is that as a practitioner you cannot determine yourself or declare that you are a "culturally safe practitioner'. Cultural safety can only be determined by the woman who is receiving the service. The only way we can gauge 'cultural safety' is by receiving feedback from women. The New Zealand midwifery standards review process undertaken by all midwives is particularly good at working in partnership with women, all case loading midwives have to provide a feedback form to every single women they look after. The feedback forms are sent back to the college and then returned to the midwife concerned. The midwife then gives them to the consumer representative to read at her review.
As a course developer I feel it is my responsibility to incorporate these aspects into each module I create so that these aspects become second nature to the future midwives we are creating.
NZCOM Midwives Handbook for practice. New Zealand College of Midwives. (2002) Christchurch. p.41
(Cited in ACM Bmid Standards, 2006)
I don't believe that cultural safety is just about the colour of a person's skin or a person's ethnic background. There are all kinds of different cultures for example:
- Class culture
- male/female culture
- teen culture
- religious culture
- medical culture
- midwifery culture
- nursing culture
The first step to becoming 'culturally safe' is developing a cultural awareness. This is the beginning step. In this step it is important to develop the ability to recognise that there are differences in people's rituals, beliefs and practices.
The second step is to develop cultural sensitivity. In this step there is a need to begin a process of self-exploration. Reflection is an important process in this step as you reflect on your own life experiences and realities. You then need to recognise how these relate to the impact they may have on others. This is the stage the students should be at by the end of their Bachelor of Midwifery course.
The final step is to become a culturally safe practitioner. The important aspect of this step is that as a practitioner you cannot determine yourself or declare that you are a "culturally safe practitioner'. Cultural safety can only be determined by the woman who is receiving the service. The only way we can gauge 'cultural safety' is by receiving feedback from women. The New Zealand midwifery standards review process undertaken by all midwives is particularly good at working in partnership with women, all case loading midwives have to provide a feedback form to every single women they look after. The feedback forms are sent back to the college and then returned to the midwife concerned. The midwife then gives them to the consumer representative to read at her review.
As a course developer I feel it is my responsibility to incorporate these aspects into each module I create so that these aspects become second nature to the future midwives we are creating.
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